Pulmonary Hemosiderosis

This rare disorder is characterized by the triad of hemoptysis, iron-deficiency anemia, and transient pulmonary infiltrates by roentgenography. The underlying pathogenetic mechanism is a propensity to recurrent intrapulmonary hemorrhage. Even though large amounts of iron are laid down in the lung, with normal or increased total body iron, anemia occurs because of inability of the erythron to use iron sequestered in pulmonary macrophages. Pulmonary fibrosis leads to respiratory insufficiency in advanced cases. Thaell et al. (1978) described the disorder in mother and son and noted its occurrence in sisters.

Ohga et al. (1995) found a total of 39 cases in Japan (12 males and 27 females). They make no mention of familial occurrence. The authors noted that the predominance of females suggested an autoimmune basis of the disease.